Dashboard

It seems to me that the world is becoming less and less a place of happiness, contentment and security.

Countries are at war. People are killing one another. Climate change and destructive weather patterns are causing major disruption and loss of lives and livelihood.

There is no doubt in my mind that our rapid adoption of new technologies, new social media platforms and the ability for everyone to become a journalist or commentator, has led to a decline in appropriate societal behaviour.

You could argue that this flux has always existed but there is something 'different' about our current 'state of our nations'. To me it appears to be 'out of control'.

And yet, I remain hopeful that, in the midst of all the chaos, we will find a way to resolve the conflicts, to better manage our environments and to work with one another for the good of all.

It starts with each one of us - if we truly care for those around us, the ripples will spread far and wide, and things will get better.

Pink sky at night ...

On Friday 27 June 2025, I attended an appointment with my surgical team at Manukau SuperClinic. In the weeks prior, I had conducted a number of medical tests and this appointment was made to set in motion plans for my stoma closure operation.

Sadly, my blood pressure vitals were very high and, since the ileostomy in February, I have regained much of the weight I had lost at the beginning of the year. This means that it is not possible at this stage to schedule the reversal.

With this news, I decided that I had to address the test results and begin a more active lifestyle again. The best way to do this is to return to the classroom. Fortunately, I am now teaching on a casual relief basis with a fantastic English Language school in central Auckland.

I am content and accept the outlook I have regarding my health. My goal is to save up some funds so that in the not-too-distant future I can travel overseas again.

“No one is ever really gone, as long as they took the time to leave us with fond memories.” — Chris Sorensen

For the very first time in my life, the Pope is younger than me!

This made me think that Pope Leo XIV may be the final Pontiff I ever see elected. Whilst my mother raised me as Catholic, as an adult I faced many challenges with the church and its practices. I no longer attend masses but I still visit churches—and temples, mosques, shrines, chapels, synagogues and pagodas, wherever I am in the world.

Our new Pontiff is going to lead the church through extremely troubled times ahead. With conflict in many parts of the globe, decreasing numbers attending services regularly resulting in churches being converted into cafes and restaurants and many believers 'losing' their faith—I suspect that the church will find it increasingly difficult to stay relevant.

But there is enormous wealth within the Catholic Church and it is likely that its business model will survive for some time. But society and our lifestyles/choices are changing and if the church does not successfully adapt to these changes then it will find itself much diminished. The tension between technology and faith is something that the church will need to grapple with, not to mention the potential role of women within Catholicism.

I have visited Montserrat (see pic) twice and like every church site I have visited, I am always spiritually moved when in the space. I hope that they will always be there.